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With Sunday’s games in the books, Interleague play for 2010 was completed seeing 8,379,834 in paid attendance during AL/NL regular season games, down under 1 percent from last season’s total of 8,411,743. The average attendance for 2010 Interleague was 33,253 per game.

Interleague play, which is broken into two sets of play, one that sees a first set of weekend games toward the end of May and a larger second set of games, this year played between 6/11-6/27. Intermixed between these AL/NL match-ups were 15 National League only games.

The second Interleague games saw an average of 32,979, down 1.36 percent from the average of 33,434 and down 5.75 percent from the 34,993 for second interleague in 2008.

Select the image above to see data for each game of second interleague 2010, including NL games played over same perod (Google Doc)

Leading the way was the Los Angeles Dodgers who as an average attendance in second interleague of 54,332, or 97 percent of Dodger Stadium’s capacity. The Dodgers benefited not only from having their regional match-ups with the Angels, but also from the New York Yankees coming to town, the first time since 2004 that the two had met in regular season play. The three games with the Yankees all had attendance of 56,000, a sellout and 100 percent of Dodger Stadium’s capacity. The Dodgers were followed by the Yankees (avg. attendance of 47,684 or 91 percent of capacity). In a sign that the Yankees are still baseball’s best draw, the Arizona Diamondbacks, who only had one Interleague series in the second set of AL/NL match-up games, drew an average of 46,443 for the 3 game set with the Bronx Bombers, or 95 percent of Chase Field’s capacity.

In terms of being able to full the ballpark to capacity, the Phillies saw Citizens Bank Park filled to overflowing. The club averaged 45,001 for second Interleague, or 103 percent of capacity. The Phillies were followed by the Twins and the honeymoon effect of the new Target Field as the other club to draw in more than 100 percent of capacity, filling standing-room only space (101 percent). The Twins were followed by Dodgers (97 percent), D-backs (95 percent), Cubs (94 percent), Giants (93 percent), and Red Sox (92 percent). All told, 9 clubs saw their ballparks filled to 90 percent of capacity or better.

On the flip side, the A’s saw the lowest attended set of second Interleague games drawing an average of 15,918 over 6 games. In defense of the A’s, the fact that the two series they hosted were the Pirates and Reds, both non-marquee teams. The A’s were followed by the Marlins (avg. of 16,959 over 6 games against the Rangers and Rays), Indians (avg. of 19,311 over 6 games between the Nationals and Mets), and Rays (avg. of 21,709 over 9 games between the Marlins, Padres, and D-backs). The Indians could have had it much worse as they lucked out with Stephen Strasburg making his second start at Progressive Field. That game drew 32,876 or 72.7 percent of capacity.

Still, in terms of being able to fill the house (or rather, not fill the house), the Strasburg start couldn’t save the Indians. The 19,311 average for second interleague for The Tribe was just 44 percent of Progressive Field’s capacity. The Indians were followed by the A’s (45 percent of capacity), Marlins (47 percent of capacity), and Blue Jays (53 percent of capacity). Ten clubs (Indians, A’s, Marlins, Blue Jays, Padres, Orioles, Rays, Rangers, Pirates, and Braves) saw ballparks filled to under 70 percent for the second set of Interleague games.

While the figures are skewed due to early season attendance when weather, and kids not being out of school can effect matters, the 2010 Interleague average is 17.8 percent higher than this season’s current intraleague average of 28,233 per game. Since its inception in 1997, Interleague Play has drawn 12.0 percent more fans than intraleague games; Interleague Play has averaged 33,261 fans per game, compared to the intraleague average of 29,711 fans per game during the same span.

The American League posted a 134-118 record in Interleague Play, marking the seventh straight season in which the A.L. has won the season-series and extending its all-time Interleague lead to 1,808-1,652 (.523). A.L. Clubs posted six of the top seven Interleague records this season. The A.L. collected a .269 batting average with 1,168 runs scored, 233 home runs and a 4.16 ERA, compared to the N.L.’s .251 batting average, 1,098 runs scored, 242 home runs and 4.37 ERA.

The Chicago White Sox compiled a Major League-leading 2.76 ERA and finished with the top Interleague record at 15-3 (.833), followed by the Texas Rangers, who went 14-4 (.778), and then the Boston Red Sox and New York Mets, both of whom went 13-5 (722). Overall, A.L. West Clubs went 42-30 (.583) in Interleague Play, with three of its four Clubs playing over .500.

The New York Yankees, who were 11-7 in Interleague Play this year, have baseball’s best all-time Interleague record at 144-102 (.585), followed by the Chicago White Sox at 143-104 (.579). The Florida Marlins, who went 7-8 in Interleague Play this year, still hold the National League’s best all-time Interleague record at 127-107 (.543), followed by the St. Louis Cardinals at 109-96 (.532).

The 2010 offensive Interleague leaders included: Josh Hamilton of the Texas Rangers with a .472 batting average (min.: 50 at-bats) and 34 hits; Prince Fielder of the Milwaukee Brewers, Adam Jones of the Baltimore Orioles and Mike Napoli of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, all of whom hit seven home runs; and David Wright of the Mets with 24 RBI. The 24 RBI by Wright matched an N.L. record set by Florida’s Hanley Ramirez in 2009. Frank Thomas holds the all-time mark with 26 RBI for the White Sox in 2000.

On the mound, White Sox pitchers led in three major pitching categories: Mark Buehrle (4-0) was the only pitcher to collect four victories; Jake Peavy compiled a 0.78 ERA in 23.0 innings over three games (min.: 18.0 innings pitched); and Bobby Jenks recorded eight saves. Jered Weaver of the Angels collected a Major League-best 37 strikeouts.